Communication system for call alerting

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a communication system comprises receiving an incoming call, wherein a caller identification is associated with the incoming call, generating an alert message for the incoming call, wherein the alert message includes the caller identification, transmitting the alert message from a wireless base station to a mobile communication device, in response to the alert message, receive a response message from the mobile communication device, wherein the response message indicates a destination for the incoming call, processing the destination in the response message to generate routing instructions for the incoming call, and routing the incoming call based on the routing instructions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/920,489, filed on Aug. 1, 2001, entitled “COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR CALL ALERTING,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

The invention is related to the field of communication networks, and in particular, to a communication system that alerts wireless communication interfaces for incoming calls.

When a call comes into a communication device such as a telephone, pager, or facsimile machine, the communication device alerts a user by some type of audio, visual, or other sensual notification for the incoming call. Wireless communication devices such as cell phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) provide the user mobility to be notified of incoming calls wherever the user may be located. Recently, these wireless communication devices have expanded in number and functionality. Unfortunately, the wireless communication devices cannot handle all types of incoming calls. For example, a wireless PDA cannot accept incoming facsimile (fax) calls. Thus, mobile users are not notified and do not receive all types of incoming calls.

Also, when a call comes into a shared pool of communication devices, the communication equipment does not know which communication device is available and capable to handle the call for a specific user. For handling unavailable communication devices, prior communication systems include call forwarding that forwards a call from an unavailable communication device to an available communication device. To handle a shared facsimile machine, one prior communication system notifies users after the call has been accepted like facsimile software that e-mails a user after the fax has been received.

Call alerting is one function in setting up a call. A service control point (SCP) is a communication device used in call set-up to translate dialed numbers to route calls to specific destinations. In one example, an SCP translates a dialed 800 number to route the 800 call to the appropriate, long distance carrier that is responsible for the dialed 800 number.

One prior system in call center routing uses an SCP and a call center processor to route toll free calls for a call center to a specific agent to handle the call. FIG. 1 depicts a communication system with a call center in the prior art. When a telephone 110 initiates a call to a call center 150, a switch 130 generates and transmits a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) query to an SCP 120 for call set-up. The SCP 120 processes the TCAP query. After identifying the call center 150 from the TCAP query, the SCP 120 generates and transmits a routing query to the call center processor 152. The call center processor 152 processes the routing query to identify which agent at the call center 150 has the availability and capability to handle the call. The call center processor 152 replies to the SCP 120 with call information identifying the agent telephone 154. The SCP 120 replies to the switch 130 with the call information identifying the agent telephone 154. The switch 130 extends the call from the telephone 110 to the switch 140. The switch 140 then extends the call to the agent telephone 154. One problem is the call center processor 152 that determines the call routing for the call center 150 is not mobile. Thus, a mobile user cannot be notified of incoming calls and decide where to route the incoming calls.

Another prior communication system uses conference bridging to connect numerous users into one communication session. Conference bridging is a communication service that provides conference call capabilities to users without a switchboard or conference call equipment. A user calls a bridge operator with the conference call information such as time of day and the length of the conference bridge. The bridge operator then assigns a bridge number to the conference bridge. Then the bridge operator then calls and connects the other users to the conference bridge. Alternatively, the other users call and proceed through a series of conference bridge access sequences. The user then enters the bridge number and joins the respective conference bridge. One disadvantage of conference bridging is there are numerous steps that a user must follow to set up a conference bridge and notify all users of the conference bridge number.

Unfortunately, none of these prior systems provide a mobile user the ability to be notified of incoming calls and to route the incoming calls to a specific communication device that can handle the incoming call.

OVERVIEW

Disclosed are systems and methods for call alerting. A method of operating a communication system comprises receiving an incoming call, wherein a caller identification is associated with the incoming call, generating an alert message for the incoming call, wherein the alert message includes the caller identification, transmitting the alert message from a wireless base station to a mobile communication device, in response to the alert message, receive a response message from the mobile communication device, wherein the response message indicates a destination for the incoming call, processing the destination in the response message to generate routing instructions for the incoming call, and routing the incoming call based on the routing instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system with a call center in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system in an example.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a service control point in an example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication system with a cell phone and a facsimile machine in an example.

FIG. 5 is a message sequence chart of a communication system with a cell phone and a facsimile machine in an example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication system with a personal digital assistant and a telephone in an example.

FIG. 7 is a message sequence chart of a communication system with a personal digital assistant and a telephone in an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Communication System with a Service Control Point FIGS. 2-3

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system 200 in an example. The communication system 200 includes a wireless communication interface 210, a wireless communication system 220, a service control point (SCP) 230, a communication network 240, a switching system 250, a destination communication device 260, and a registration network 270. The SCP 230 comprises a memory 232, a processor 234, and an interface 236. The wireless communication interface 210 is configured to communicate using wireless signals with the wireless communication system 220. The wireless communication system 220 is connected to the interface 236. The interface 236 is connected to the processor 234. The processor 234 is connected to the memory 232. The interface 236 is also connected to the communication network 240, the switching system 250, and the registration network 270. The communication network 240 is connected to the switching system 250. The switching system 250 is connected to the destination communication device 260. The destination communication device 260 is connected to the registration network 270. Various communication equipments such as signal transfer points are not shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of simplicity and clarity.

The wireless communication interface 210 is any interface in a user communication device that exchanges wireless signals with the wireless communication system 220. In some embodiments, the wireless communication interface 210 is included within a wireless communication device such as a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a cellular phone. The wireless communication system 220 is any system configured to exchange wireless signals with the wireless communication interface 210. One example of the wireless communication system 220 is a wireless base station.

The memory 232 stores data or instructions for the processor 234 temporarily and/or permanently. The processor 234 executes instructions stored in the memory 232. The interface 236 exchanges data, messages, signaling, or instructions between the processor 234 and the wireless communication system 220, the communication network 240, and switching system 250. Those skilled in the art understand the operation of conventional processors, memory, and interfaces.

The service control point 230 is a service control point configured to (1) receive a call set-up message for an incoming call, (2) process the call set-up message to identify the wireless communication interface 210, (3) generate an alert message indicating the incoming call and caller information from the call set-up message, (4) transmit the alert message to the wireless communication interface 210, (5) receive a response message wherein the response message indicates a destination communication device to receive the incoming call, (6) process the response message to generate a routing instruction that connects the incoming call to the destination communication device, and (7) transmit the routing instruction.

The incoming call is any call that carries voice or data communications. The call set-up message is any signaling, message, or information used to set up a call. One example of the call set-up message is a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) query. The alert message is any message, signaling, or information used to notify the wireless communication interface 210 of the incoming call. The caller information is any information related to the call such as called number, dialed number, and caller number. The response message is any message, signaling, or instruction that indicates a destination communication device to receive the incoming call. The routing instruction is any signaling, message or instruction that causes communication equipment to route, switch, or direct a call.

The communication network 240 is a plurality of communication equipment that forms a network that carries communications. One example of the communication network 240 is the Public Switched Telephone Network. Those skilled in the art understand that all the equipment in the communication system 200 may be parts included within the communication network 240. The communication network 240 is separate for the sake of simplicity. The switching system 250 is any device or plurality of device configured to route, switch, or direct communications based on routing instructions. One example of the switching system 250 is a switch. The destination communication device 260 is a device or a plurality of communication devices configured to receive an incoming call. Some examples of the destination communication device are telephones and facsimile machines.

In operation, an incoming call is initiated from the communication network 240. To set-up the incoming call, the communication network 240 transmits a call set-up message to the service control point 230. FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart of the SCP 230 in an example. FIG. 3 begins in step 300. In step 302, the SCP 230 receives a call set-up message for an incoming call. In step 304, the SCP 230 processes the call set-up message to identify the wireless communication interface 210.

In step 306, the SCP 230 then generates an alert message indicating the incoming call and caller information from the call set-up message. In step 308, the SCP 230 transmits the alert message to the wireless communication interface 210. In step 310, the SCP 230 receives a response message wherein the response message indicates a destination communication device to receive the incoming call. In step 312, the SCP 230 processes the response message to generate a routing instruction that connects the incoming call to a destination communication device 260. The SCP 230 then transmits the routing instruction in step 314. FIG. 3 ends in step 316. The switching system 250 then connects the incoming call to the destination communication device 260 based on the routing instruction. The destination communication device 260 then receives the incoming call.

In one embodiment, the response message includes a session identification provided on the wireless communication interface 210 as registration identification on the destination communication device 260. The destination communication device 260 then signals back with the registration identification to the SCP 230 via the registration network 270. The registration network 270 may be a data or signaling network.

By notifying a user of an incoming call, the communication system 200 advantageously allows all communications types to be handled by a destination communication device 260 that is available and capable to handle the incoming call. A mobile user can then be notified through their own wireless communication device of an incoming call and find a destination communication device 260 to receive the incoming call. Additionally, the communication system 200 allows the user to specify which destination communication device 260 in a shared pool of communication devices should receive the incoming call.

Communication System with a Cell Phone and a Facsimile Machine—FIGS. 4-5

FIGS. 4-5 disclose one embodiment, but the claims are not restricted to the configuration provided below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations in a communication system configuration and operation that are within the scope of the claims. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how the principles illustrated in this example can be used in other examples.

In this embodiment, an incoming fax call is directed to a mobile user. The mobile user receives the incoming fax call from a facsimile machine in a shared pool of facsimile machines. FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of a communication system 400 with a cell phone 410 and a facsimile machine 460 in an example. The communication system 400 comprises the cell phone 410, a wireless base station 420, a service control point 430, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 440, a switching system 450, and the facsimile machine 460. The cell phone 410 comprises a memory 412, a processor 414, and an interface 416. The cell phone 410 is configured to communicate with the wireless base station 420 using wireless signals. The wireless base station 420 is connected to the service control point 430. The service control point 430 is connected to the PSTN 440 and the switching system 450. The PSTN 440 is connected to the switching system 450. The switching system 450 is connected to the facsimile machine 460.

The memory 412 stores data or instructions for the processor 414 temporarily and/or permanently. The processor 414 executes instructions stored in the memory 412. The interface 416 exchanges data, messages, signaling, or instructions between the processor 414 and the wireless communication system 420. Those skilled in the art understand the operation of conventional processors, memory, and interfaces.

FIG. 5 depicts a message sequence chart for the communication system 400 with the cell phone 410 and the facsimile machine 460 in an example. The PSTN 440 generates and transmits a TCAP query to the SCP 430 to set up an incoming call. The SCP 430 processes the TCAP query for the incoming call and determines that the incoming call for the called party should be intercepted. In one embodiment, the configuration of the Advanced Intelligent Network digit translation trigger determines whether an incoming call for the called party is intercepted. The SCP 430 then creates a session with a session identifier. A session is any situation that the SCP 430 creates for monitoring, tracking, or representing the incoming call. The session identifier is any number, tag, or identification that identifies the session.

The SCP 430 then generates and transmits an alert message for the incoming call to the cell phone 410 via the wireless base station 420. In one embodiment, the alert message comprises the session ID and the Automatic Number Identification. The cell phone 410 then receives the alert message. The user recognizes the incoming call is for a facsimile transmission. The user then locates a facsimile machine from a pool of facsimile machines. The user then enters the facsimile machine phone number into the cell phone 410. The cell phone 410 then generates and transmits a response message including the facsimile machine phone number to the SCP 430. The response message is any message, signaling, or instruction that indicates a destination communication device to receive the incoming call. The SCP 430 processes the response message to generate and transmit a routing instruction that includes the facsimile machine phone number to the switching system 450. Once the PSTN 440 extends the incoming call to the switching system 450, the switching system 450 routes the incoming call to the facsimile machine 460 based on the routing instruction.

Communication System with an Incoming Call to a Personal Digital Assistant—FIGS. 6-7

FIGS. 6-7 disclose one embodiment, but the claims are not restricted to the configuration provided below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations in a communication system configuration and operation that are within the scope of the claims. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how the principles illustrated in this example can be used in other examples.

In this embodiment, the alerting device is a wireless personal digital assistant that has pager capabilities to receive pager messages but not voice capabilities to handle a voice call. Once alerted of the incoming call, the user calls from a public telephone to join in a conference bridge that the incoming call is connected to.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a communication system 600 with a personal digital assistant (PDA) 610 and a telephone 660 in an example. The communication system 600 comprises the PDA 610, a wireless base station 620, a service control point 630, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 640, a switching system 650, the telephone 660, and a conference bridge system 670. The PDA 610 is configured to communicate with the wireless base station 620 using wireless signals. The wireless base station 620 is connected to the service control point 630. The service control point 630 is connected to the PSTN 640 and the switching system 650. The PSTN 640 is connected to the switching system 650 and the conference bridging system 670. The switching system 650 is connected to the telephone 660. The conference bridge system 670 is a system configured to provide conference bridges where numerous users have the ability to hear and speak to other users in the conference bridge. Those skilled in the art understand conference bridges and the conference bridge system 670.

FIG. 7 depicts a message sequence chart for the communication system 600 with the PDA 610 and the telephone 660 in an example. The PSTN 640 generates and transmits a TCAP query to the SCP 630 to set up an incoming call. The SCP 630 processes the TCAP query for the incoming call and determines that the incoming call for the called party should be intercepted. The SCP 630 then creates a session with a session identifier.

The SCP 630 then generates and transmits a query for an unoccupied conference bridge to the conference bridge system 670. The conference bridge system 670 processes the query to identify an unoccupied conference bridge. The conference bridge system 670 then generates and transmits a reply to the query with a bridge number for the unoccupied conference bridge. The SCP 630 then associates the bridge number with the session ID. The SCP 630 then generates a first routing instruction with the bridge number that extends the incoming call from the PSTN 640 to the conference bridge system 670. The conference bridge system 670 then places the incoming call with the conference bridge with the associated bridge number. In one embodiment, the conference bridge system 670 plays an audio message notifying the caller to wait while the called party is alerted. Those skilled in the art understand there are numerous devices and communication system configurations that can play this audio message.

The SCP 630 generates and transmits an alert message for the incoming call to the PDA 610 via the wireless base station 620. The PDA 610 receives the alert message. The user of the PDA 310 then locates the telephone 660. The user then uses a response mechanism within the PDA 610 to dial a number from the telephone 660 and respond with the session ID. The switching system 650 then generates and transmits a TCAP query to the SCP 630 for this second call. The SCP 630 processes the TCAP query and determines to intercept the second call in order to connect the second call to the conference bridge. The SCP 630 then generates and transmits a second routing instruction that routes the second call to the conference bridge system 670 based on the session ID and the associated bridge number. Once the telephone 660 extends the second call to the switching system 450, the switching system 650 then routes the second call to the conference bridge system 670 to join the conference bridge with the original incoming call.

For this embodiment, the calling party advantageously does not have to pre-provision any conference bridging capability. The SCP 630 automatically provisions the conference bridge without the calling party and the called party's knowledge. Thus, the called party bypasses any access sequence to join the conference bridge.

The above-described elements can be comprised of instructions that are stored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor, and storage media.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of operating a communication system, the method comprising: receiving an incoming call, wherein a caller identification is associated with the incoming call; generating an alert message for the incoming call, wherein the alert message includes the caller identification; transmitting the alert message from a wireless base station to a mobile communication device; in response to the alert message, receive a response message from the mobile communication device, wherein the response message indicates a destination for the incoming call; processing the destination in the response message to generate routing instructions for the incoming call; and routing the incoming call based on the routing instructions.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the alert message to a user operating the mobile communication device.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the alert message includes the caller identification, and wherein displaying the alert message comprises displaying the caller identification.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising receiving a user input from the user via a user interface in the mobile communication device, wherein the user input indicates the destination for the incoming call.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the user input comprises a selection of the destination from a plurality of destinations displayed to the user.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a cell phone.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a personal digital assistant.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a pager.
 9. A communication system comprising: a network processor configured to receive an incoming call, wherein a caller identification is associated with the incoming call, and generate an alert message for the incoming call, wherein the alert message includes the caller identification; a wireless base station in communication with the network processor and configured to transmit the alert message from a wireless base station to a mobile communication device, and receive a response message from the mobile communication device in response to the alert message, wherein the response message indicates a destination for the incoming call; wherein the network processor is further configured to process the destination in the response message to generate routing instructions for the incoming call and transfer the routing instructions for delivery to a routing system to route the incoming call based on the routing instructions.
 10. The communication system of claim 9 further comprising the mobile communication device configured to display the alert message to a user operating the mobile communication device.
 11. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the alert message includes the caller identification, and wherein the mobile communication device is configured to display the caller identification.
 12. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the mobile communication device includes a user interface, and wherein the user interface is configured to receive a user input from the user, wherein the user input indicates the destination for the incoming call.
 13. The communication system of claim 12 wherein the user input comprises a selection of the destination from a plurality of destinations displayed to the user.
 14. The communication system of claim 13 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a cell phone.
 15. The communication system of claim 13 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a personal digital assistant.
 16. The communication system of claim 13 wherein the mobile communication device comprises a pager. 